I try to keep my feet on the ground. Even though I appreciate the fame and adoration, I remember once I used to pick cotton, and I felt like even then I was somebody. I have the same feet, hands and heart like everyone else. I'm just also blessed with a good voice.

I was sometimes jeered by black soldiers who wanted me to sing something besides country music.

I learned to tune a guitar by ear. That method has served me pretty well.

Until MTV, television had not been a huge influence on music. To compete with MTV, the country music moguls felt they had to appeal to the same young audience and do it the way MTV did.

My brothers and sisters all sang, too, and they all have good voices.

Fans will praise you, scold you, and offer helpful advice. Fans will also defend you.

Redd Foxx was the same gruff old codger you saw on television.